If you write your own songs, at some point in your career you will want to consider whether signing with a music publishing company makes sense. Music publishers are sort of like record labels, but for your compositions rather than your master recordings which embody your compositions. The right music publisher can take your career (and your earnings) to the … Read More
Should Musicians Self-Publish?
As a songwriter, you have likely heard talk of self-publishing your compositions. You’ve likely noticed, while perusing the fine print in the liner notes of your favorite albums, that nearly all major artists have created their own publishing company. This means that they’ve incorporated a publishing company, through which the publisher’s share of income flows. The other half of publishing revenue, … Read More
16 Things Every Touring Musician Should Ask Before Going on Tour
Whether you’re a seasoned touring musician or about to embark on your first tour, there are many things to take into consideration before hitting the highway. Here are the 16 questions a touring musician should ask before loading up the van: 1) Are Your Gigs Confirmed & Contracts Signed? This might seem like an obvious starting point, but I know numerous touring … Read More
Music Placements: How to Get Your Music in Film & TV
I’ve negotiated a few significant film and television placements for clients in the last two months, so I decided to write an article on the topic. Getting your music placed in film and TV can be a game-changer in your career. Music placements are one of the best ways to gain serious exposure for your music. They can also be … Read More
What Constitutes Music Plagiarism? The Sam Smith and Robin Thicke Trials
Music plagiarism is a hot topic in the music industry these days. From Sam Smith to Bruno Mars to Beyonce, artists seem to be being accused of music plagiarism more than ever. As the old saying goes: there is no such thing as an original thought. Everyone from Shakespeare to the Beatles to Zeppelin has been accused of stealing ideas … Read More
Music Industry Collectives – Why Are They So Important?
Most musicians I talk to are slightly confused by all the music industry collectives out there and how they can collect money from them. This is understandable: there is a lot to digest. Let’s look at the main music industry collectives and how you can get paid from them. 1) Performing Rights Collectives (PROs) Every time a recorded song is played or … Read More
Touring the USA: What Canadian Musicians Need to Know
Since 9/11, touring the USA as a Canadian musician has never been more difficult. Things have gotten worse since Trump took office. Horror stories abound of bands being held at the border in interrogation rooms for hours/days on end, all because they lacked proper documentation. What Constitutes Touring the USA? Whether you are showcasing for free, playing a private unpaid event, … Read More
What Constitutes Songwriting? The Million Dollar Question in the Music Industry
What constitutes songwriting? As an entertainment lawyer, it is the single question I get asked the most. And without a doubt, its one of the most important and complex questions in the music industry today. While most musicians know very well how to write a song (whether the songs are good or not is another story!), what is less known … Read More
When Should Musicians Incorporate? The Benefits of Incorporation for Musicians
All successful musicians incorporate. It is really a question of “when” rather than “if”. The benefits of incorporation are huge, and the risks of not incorporating are bigger. Let’s examine why. Why Should Musicians Incorporate? The Benefits i) Tax Benefits If you have not incorporated and are playing music as an individual or group, you are a operating as a sole … Read More
What Rights Do You Have in a Sound Recording You Play On?
I get many emails every week from musicians around the world asking me questions about the music business. One of the most common questions is: what rights do I have in a recording that I performed on? Whether it’s a song you played on decades ago that was just re-released by your former bandmates, or a song recorded last week … Read More